Express Solicitors Easter Vacation Scheme 2014

Each year, Express Solicitors runs an Easter Vacation Scheme for students currently studying either the Legal Practice Course (LPC), LLB or Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL). Between the 7th and 11th April, Leah Selkirk and Amanda Sellar, both students from Manchester University of Law are joining Express Solicitors to take part in work experience.

In order to be offered the opportunity to work at Express Solicitors both students had to go through a multi-stage recruitment process. The initial phase of the process required candidates to submit their CV supported by a covering letter to explain why they are interested in Personal Injury law, including what attracted them to the work experience opportunity at Express Solicitors. Those shortlisted were then required to undertake both an interview and a Personal Injury knowledge test which aimed to uncover their undertaking of the industry and its recent legislation changes. Both Leah and Amanda excelled in the interview process and achieved a good mark in the Personal Injury knowledge test.

During their week at Express Solicitors, Leah and Amanda will be kept busy through a variety of tasks. They will begin their work experience with a stint in the New Client Team (NCT) whereby they’ll shadow the team leaders and see how initial enquiries are taken and processed. Whilst in NCT, it is hoped that Leah and Amanda will gain an insight into how Express Solicitors offers great customer service, retains clients, and also what details are needed to process a claim. Leah and Amanda will also have the opportunity to attend a review with one of the firm’s Partners to see how claims are accepted and then created as live files.

After working in NCT, Amanda and Leah will be shown how to carry out a number of paralegal tasks. They will be shown the new claims portal and may get the chance to attend court hearings and PADA’s.

During the week, Amanda and Leah will spend 2 hours shadowing with either a Trainee Solicitor or Litigation Executive from each Personal Injury department at Express Solicitors. This experience will allow them to see the complete journey of the claims process as well as gaining valuable knowledge of types of claim handled by each department which include: Road Traffic Accidents, Medical Negligence, Public and Occupier’s Liability, Criminal Injury, and Employer’s Liability.

When asked how she found her week at Express Solicitors, Leah answered: “I have had a really enjoyable time at the firm and have been exposed to many varied and interesting cases. It was great to be given the opportunity to work within different departments and have such a structured work experience timetable. Thank you!”

Last year, Litigation Executive at Express Solicitors, Rachel Preston, took part in the 2013 Easter Vacation Scheme. After her week of work experience she applied for a position in the firm’s New Client Team and was successful in her application meaning that she was offered a full time role. Since then Rachel has been promoted to work in the Road Traffic department as Litigation Executive where she processes Road Traffic claims through the portal.